Air lift for bathtubs



Oct 1967 H. H. MERRIMAN AIR LIFT FOR BATHTUBS 2 Sheets Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1964 ERRZMAN HENRI H. M

- ATTORNEY-5' Oct. 17, 1967 H. H. M ERRIMAN AIR LIFT FOR BATHTUBS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1964 INVENTOR 1 E] V'RY H MERE/MAN 36 WW ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,346,885 AIR LIFT FOR BATHTUBS Henry H. Merriman, 751 W. Washington St, Jackson, Mich. 49201 Filed Sept. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 396,893 3 Claims. (Cl. 4185) The invention pertains to a bathtub seat, and particularly relates to a bathtub seat capable of raising and lowering the occupant of a bathtub.

Elderly, heavy and invalid persons often encounter ditficulty in raising themselves from or lowering themselves into, a bathtub. The problem of arising from a bathtub is particularly acute with elderly or invalid persons having weakened arm muscles, and assistance is often required to permit them to rise and step out of a bathtub. A number of devices have been proposed to aid persons in entering or leaving a bathtub. However, those devices which are currently available are cumbersome, expensive and require special installation.

The invention relates to a bathtub seat capable of lifting and lowering an occupant within the bathtub wherein the seat is of simple construction, inexpensive, portable and trouble-free in its operation. The invention is an improvement over bathtub seat devices such as shown in United States Patents 2,725,578 and 2,817,096.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, easily operable, bathtub seat capable of raising and lowering a person seated thereon which is readily manufacturable, easy to package and transport, and lightweight.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a bathtub seat capable of raising and lowering a person seated thereon wherein the seat is firmly positioned within the bathtub in order to provide a safe support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub seat capable of raising and lowering a person seated thereon wherein means are associated with the seat for positioning and maintaining the seat within the bathtub.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, portable bathtub seat capable of raising and lowering a person seated thereon wherein the seat may be readily cleaned and may be easily installed or removed from the bathtub.

These and other objects of the invention arising from the details and relationships of the components of embodiments thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deflated bathtub seat in accord with the invention, one corner thereof being rolled back to illustrate a vacuum cup attached thereto,

FIG. 2 is an elevational, sectional view of a bathtub illustrating the positioning of the seat of the invention therein, while deflated,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, taken along section III-III of FIG. 4, illustrating the seat in the inflated form,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inflated bathtub seat and bathtub,

FIG. 5 is an elevational, sectional view of a bathtub seat and bathtub similar to that of FIG. 4, as taken along section VV thereof, illustrating a bath mat afi'ixed to the lower portion of the seat envelope,

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modification of a bathtub seat using a U-shaped bar to position the seat within the bathtub,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of a bathtub seat in accord with the invention shown in the inflated form wherein the end of the seat envelope includes a plurality of vacuum cup depressions directly dcfined within the envelope material,

3,346,885 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 FIG. 8 is an enlarged, elevational, sectional, detailed view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken along section VIIIVTII thereof,

FIG. 9 is a detail, plan view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the seat envelope is encompassed within retaining means to prevent excessive inflation and expansion of the envelope, and

FIG. 10 is an elevational, sectional view of a bathtub and another embodiment of a bathtub seat wherein separate vacuum cups are attached to the sides of the bathtub side wall and the envelope engages the vacuum cups during inflation, a seat board being mounted on the envelope upper portion.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein it will be appreciated that the bathtub seat in accord with the invention basically consists of an inflatable envelope provided with a valve means for injecting or removing a pressurized medium. The envelope 10 is preferably formed of a synthetic vinyl sheet material of medium heavy, yet highly flexible characteristics. The envelope 10 may be formed by folding a sheet of the vinyl material upon itself to define a flattened tube, and the overlapping ends of the tube may be bonded together by a heat seal, or similar process. The envelope length is defined by lateral ends 12 transversely disposed to the longitudinal length of the envelope and the ends 12 are heat sealed, or otherwise closed to define an airtight envelope. The envelope 10 may be considered to be defined by an upper sheet portion 14 and a lower sheet portion 16. A valve 18 is attached to the envelope upper portion 14 which communicates with a hose 20 attached to a hand-operated pneumatic pump 22. The valve 23 is a manually operable exhaust valve which may be opened to permit the air to be exhausted from the envelope. The above described structure constitutes the basic embodiment of the invention, and the seat aforedescribed may be used in a bathtub without using vacuum cups or other positioning means, as shown in the illustrated embodiments.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a vacuum cup 24 is attached to the envelope adjacent each corner thereof. The vacuum cups include a stud 26 which passes through a hole defined in the envelope and the envelope material around each hole is sealed together to prevent leakage from the envelope.

It is important to the practice of the invention that the envelope be firmly located and supported within the bathtub when in use. To assure firm positioning of the envelope within the bathtub, the longitudinal length of the envelope, e.g., the dimension of the envelope which is perpendicularly related to the end edges 12, is greater than the width separating the side walls of the bathtub with which the seat is to be employed. Due to the greater length of the seat, with respect to the separation of the bathtub side walls, inflation of the envelope will cause the envelope to firmly engage the bathtub side walls and, thus, wedge itself into the bathtub and, thereby, prevent relative movement to the bathtub. The vacuum cups 24, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, aid in initially positioning the envelope within the bathtub and aid in maintaining the position of the inflated envelope within the bathtub. However, even when no vacuum cups are employed, the seat will be firmly located in the bathtub upon inflation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seat may be positioned in the bathtub 28 while in the deflated state. The vacuum cups 24 are attached to the side walls 30 of the bathtub wherein the pair of vacuum cups located adjacent a common envelope end edge are affixed to a common bathtub side Wall. The operator thereupon inflates the envelope by means of the hand pump 22. Upon the seat being substantially fully inflated, the envelope will assume the configuration shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 wherein the upper portion 14 of the envelope approaches the upper edge 32 of the bathtub and the user may step into the bathtub and seat himself upon the upper portion of the envelope. As will be noted from FIG. 3, the inflation of the envelope causes the material thereof to encompass the vacuum cups 24 and, thus, both the engagement of the envelope with the sides of the bathtub and the attachment of the vacuum cups to the bathtub side walls will firmly position the envelope within the bathtub.

Upon the user seating himself upon the envelope10, the valve 23 may be opened to permit the envelope to begin deflating and thereby lower the user into the tub. Deflation may be stopped at any time and the user will remain seated upon the envelope during bathing, while.

the envelope will provide support at the desired level. When it is desired to leave the bathtub, the user will grasp the hand pump 22 and reinflate the envelope to raise himself adjacent the bathtub upper edge 32 that he may easily step from the bathtub.

As the effective lifting area of the envelope 10 is relatively large, only two or three pounds of air pressure, or less, within the envelope are needed to raise the user to the desired level within the bathtub. Thus, operation of the hand pump may be easily accomplished. If desired, the hand pump 22 could be replaced by an air compressor, a pressurized bottle gas source, or other means for inflating the envelope. Also, it is considered to be within the scope of the invention to use water to inflate the envelope 10, and the inflating hose .20 could be conected to the water source whereby pressurized water may be introduced into the envelope for inflation and deflation purposes.

FIG. 5 illustrates a slight variation over FIGS. 3 and 4, in that a bath mat 34 of rubber or similar material has been affixed to the lower portion 16 of the envelope 10 which extends from the front of the envelope. By attaching a bath mat to the lower portion of the envelope, the bath mat helps to maintain the position of the seat within the bathtub and also minimizes the danger of the user slipping within the bathtub.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 while not employing vacuum cups, employs a rubber covered, generally U- shaped rod 36 having free ends 38. The free ends 38 are afiixed to the envelope 37 at or adjacent the envelope end edges 39. The configuration of the rod 36 includes a base portion 40 which may engage the end 42 of the bathtub 43. In this manner, the rod 36 will engage the bathtub and maintain the position of the envelope therein. In this embodiment engagement of the envelope and bathtub side walls is optional.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a variation in the envelope construction wherein the envelope 44 includes end edge portions 46, in which a plurality of depressions 48 are homogeneously defined, such as by a molding process.-

The depressions 48 form a plurality of vacuum cups and, thus, upon inflation of the envelope a plurality of vacuum connections to the bathtub side walls will occur, producing a firm interconnection between the envelope 44 and the bathtub.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein an envelope 50 is encompassed wthin a flexible tubular inflation restraining means, such as of a loosely interwoven net 52 formed of nylon cord, or similar material. A centrally located band '54 is also, passed about the envelope 50 to restrict the inflation thereof. By employing the net 52 and the band 54 accidental damage to the envelope due to overinflation is minimized. Additionally, the net 52 provides a frictional surface to the envelope which is helpful in preventing the user from slipping upon the seatoIn that the vinyl material of the envelope may be rather slippery when wet, it is recommended that a towel be placed upon the envelopes of the various embodiments, if the seat board of FIG. 10 is not employed.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein vacuum cups 56 of a larger size than those illustrated in FIG. 1 are attached to the side walls of the bathtub 58. The vacuum cups 56 are not attached directly to the envelope 60 and include stud portions 62. After the vacuum cups 56 have been attached to the bathtub side walls, the envelope 60 is located within the bathtub and inflated into engagement with the vacuum cups, and the close contact between the envelope and the vacuum cups and stud projections will firmly position the envelope Within the bathtub.

A seat board 64 may be attached to the upper portion of the envelope 60. The seat board 64 may be of a rigid or of a substantially rigid material, and will provide comfort for the user and minimize any tendency for the user to slip while seated upon the envelope. It is to be ap preciated that it is anticipated that any of the disclosed embodiments may incorporate a seat board with the upper portion thereof.

In the above description it is assumed that the seat user will desire to position the deflated envelope in the bathtub prior to inflating the envelope. However, as the side walls of bathtubs are slightly tapered, and the inflated envelope is deformable, it is possible to inflate the envelope outside of thebathtub and then insert it into position in the bathtub. The tapered bathtub configuration, and size of the envelope, cause the seat to be firmly wedged in the desired location when the seat is inserted in this manner. This method of positioning the seat is most easily accomplishedwith envelopes not employing vacuum cups.

When the seat of the invention is deflated, it may be readily rolled or folded into a compact size for packaging or transporting. As the seat is lightweight, it may be readily carried by users while traveling and the inexpensive construction makes the seat available to all those in need of this type of device. The simple and uncomplicated construction permits the seat to be easily cleaned and employed by the average person without requiring special skills.

It is appreciated that other modifications than those illustrated may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bathtub seat adapted to be used with a bathtub having opposed side Walls and capable of raising and lowering a person seated thereon comprising, in combination,

(a) an inflatable envelope having an inflated longitudinal dimension and end portions, said envelope longitudinal dimension being greater than the spacing between the bathtub side walls in which the seat is to be employed,

(b) means attached to said envelope to permit the inflation and deflation thereof whereby said envelope upon being inflated will inflate against and wedge itself between the side walls of a bathtub to provide a firm connection with the bathtub upon the longitudinal dimension of the envelope being transversely disposed to the bathtub side walls, and

(c) vacuum cup means defined upon said envelope end portions adapted to aid in initially positioning said envelope within a bathtub and augment the interconnection between the inflated envelope and bathtub side walls, said vacuum cup means being forced against the side walls of the bathtub by said envelope upon inflation of the envelope.

2. In combination,

(a) a bathtub having a longitudinal axis and width,

the width of said bathtub being defined by opposed side walls,

(b) an inflatable envelope having an inflated longitudinal dimension greater than the spacing between said bathtub side walls and defined by end portions,

(c) means attached to said envelope to permit the inflation and deflation thereof whereby said envelope upon being inflated will inflate against and wedge itself between said side walls of said bathtub to provide a firm connection with said bathtub upon the longitudinal dimension of the envelope being transversely disposed to said bathtub longitudinal axis, and

(d) vacuum cup means defined upon said envelope end portions adapted to aid in initially positioning said envelope within said bathtub and augment the inter- (b) means attached to said envelope to permit the in- (c) a plurality of depressions directly defined in the material of said envelope constituting said envelope ends to define vacuum cups which engage said side connection between said bathtub side walls and inm flated envelope, said vacuum cup means being forced against said side walls by said envelope upon inflation thereof.

3. A bathtub seat adapted to be used with a bathtub walls upon inflation of said envelope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS having opposed side walls and capable of raising and 15 1 5 275 2 1923 Wright 4 214 lowering a person seated thereon comprising, in com- 1,759 348 5/1930 Fi h 4 185 bination, 2,461,880 2/1949 Curran 4l85 (a) an inflatable envelope having a longitudinal dimen- 2,817,096 12/ 1957 Roth 4-185 sion and ends transversely disposed to said longitu- 2,859,505 11/1958 Jarvis. dinal dimension, said envelope inflated longitudinal 20 ,02 41 3/1962 Murat 4185 dimension and spacing between said ends being greater than the spacing between the bathtub side wall in which the seat is to be employed,

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. B. E. KILE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BATHTUB SEAT ADAPTED TO BE USED WITH A BATHTUB HAVING OPPOSED SIDE WALLS AND CAPABLE OF RAISING AND LOWERING A PERSON SEATED THEREON COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, (A) AN INFLATABLE ENVELOPE HAVING AN INFLATED LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION AND END PORTIONS, SAID ENVELOPE LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION BEING GREATER THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BATHTUB SIDE WALLS IN WHICH THE SEAT IT TO BE EMPLOYED, (B) MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ENVELOPED TO PERMIT THE INFLATION AND DEFLATION THEREOF WHEREBY SAID ENVELOPE UPON BEING INFLATED WILL INFLATE AGAINST AND WEDGE ITSELF BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF A BATHTUB TO PROVIDE A FIRM CONNECTION WITH THE BATHTUB UPON THE LONGITINDINAL DIMENSION OF THE ENVELOPE BEING TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED TO THE BATHTUB SIDE WALLS, AND 